Ash & Scribbs

Certainly not "deep" or complicated but at least it's not "noir", violent, politically correct or perverse like so many cop shows of late. The two female leads are charming, funny and carry their respective types quite effectively so a bit of brains and sophistication with a dash of beer and chips which works. Sufficiently entertaining enough to make it through 12 episodes at least.

This entertaining 2004 British mystery series takes place in the fictional English town of Middleford. Caroline Catz plays Inspector Kate Ashurst and Lisa Faulkner plays Sergeant Emma Scribbins, two well-dressed, wise-cracking, female detectives who must face a variety of grisly murders in the well-manicured suburban homes of Middleford, but who also are facing an unmarried middle age squarely in the mirror. The crimes they solve are clever and bizarre enough to make them interesting, and the suspects are just trendy and snobby enough that you just know they must be Mac users. Kate's romantic subplot centers on her hapless pursuit of their handsome supervisor, Chief Inspector Sullivan, played by Jeremy Sheffield. Emma's love life is a bit more varied with any number of odd sorts, all having dubious qualities. My wife and I have viewed this series many times and find something new and enjoyable with each viewing. Highly recommended!

I stumbled upon this show on Britbox 20 years after it premiered, never heard of it before. Since it was an ITV production, my expectations were pretty low. But this is a delightful little show!

OK, the murder mysteries aren't that mysterious (which they really can't be in a 45 minute episode anyway). Halfway in, you usually know whodunnit. But that is not the point.

What makes this so enjoyable is the chemistry between Ash and Scribbs - and their boss. The dialogue feels very natural and totally believable, with lots of deliberate comedy moments that really work. I am especially impressed by Lisa Faulkner's brilliant acting - and her considerable charm.

Too bad they didn't give this show more than 12 episodes - could easily have run for another five years.

DI Ashurst and DS Scribbins, a.k.a. Ash and Scribbs, are pals and detectives in the northern community of Middleford. Each episode is about 50 mins long, and it's totally bingeable. The women have terrific chemistry and are very funny. They're also both very single, and a LOT of time is spent talking about men, dating, ragging on the guys they're dating, wondering why they can't find anyone to date. To complicate matters, they both have huge crushes on their boss, the admittedly dishy DCI Sullivan, but are smart enough to not risk THAT HR complication. I slightly preferred more episodes in S2 than S1, but it's a decently amusing watch if you don't get tired out by all the single ladies talk.

There are always crimes afoot on Wisteria Lane. Suppose you sent a fashionable version of Cagney & Lacey to investigate them. This is the basic effect of 'Murder in Suburbia'.

Just like 'Desperate Housewives', it manages to combine a good story with a generous helping of humor. The crimes are suitably bizarre, and the interplay between Ash and Scribbs as the two single police officers is a lot of fun.

This is not like most American mysteries which are heavy on procedures and tend to be very somber. This one is strong on character and very light hearted.

If you enjoy 'Midsomer Murders' you will probably enjoy this, and if ABC doesn't option the US rights to this show as a companion piece for 'Desperate Housewives', they're nuts.